Capacitive sheaths for hand coverings

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a capacitive sheath fitted for a finger tip that includes conducting material, which may be placed over gloved hands. The capacitive sheath permits the user to operate a touch screen device without removal of any digit or hand covering apparatus, such as gloves.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to coverings for fingertips that allow the user to operate capacitive touch screens on devices such as cell phones and media players without requiring removal of a hand covering.

BACKGROUND

New generation consumer devices increasingly rely on touch screen inputs such as virtual buttons and sliders displayed on the screen as an alternative to physical inputs and keyboards. For example the Apple iPhone® and Samsung Galaxy® are operated almost exclusively by manipulating virtual buttons, sliders, scrollers, and the like on a screen with the user's fingertips. Capacitive touch screen technology is largely displacing resistive touch screens due to industrial design, durability, and performance considerations. Generally, capacitive touch screens require “bare-handed” contact to sense a touch because the touch pad senses the fleshy fingertip, which, due to the conductivity of the flesh, perturbs the field of the screen. This gives rise to a problem when a user wears cold weather or protective gloves. Most devices using capacitive touch screens cannot be used while wearing gloves because the material of the glove is an electrical insulator that insulates the fingers and prevents the capacitive screen from detecting the conductivity of the fingertips through the gloves. The thickness of the glove material also limits the closeness of the finger to the screen and prevents the user from actually touching the screen.

One solution has been to provide a glove with the tip of the index finger sheath cut out so that a wearer's bare fingertip protrudes slightly from the end of the sheath. While this does allow the bare fingertip to be used with a capacitive touch screen, it is far from ideal because the fingertip is exposed to the elements and is not protected or kept warm. The opening in the glove also allows air circulation and moisture penetration, which often defeats the very purpose of wearing gloves. For protective gloves, such as electrician's gloves, breaches of the glove are simply unacceptable.

Another solution has been to provide gloves that include various electro-conductive features, such as finger tips that include metallic components (i.e. conductive caps) to allow the user to utilize electronic devices. These “touchscreen” gloves are typically expensive and limited in variety. Therefore, a user has to sacrifice style for functionality in order to use their electronic devices. Furthermore, gloves that include metallic components in the fingertips typically are limited in terms of surface area for the electro-conductive component. Accordingly, gloves of this type do not account for various finger sizes and shapes. These gloves are typically composed of relatively thin materials and not suitable for extreme outdoor conditions, such as skiing, snowboarding, or even motorcycle riding. In addition, this limited surface area of the conductive component fails to account for the dexterity of the user.

Another issue that exists in this area is the size of a user's fingers. Users with very large fingers find typing and using the touch screen input of these devices to be very challenging. Bulky gloves exacerbate this issue. Gloves with metallic components, such as those mentioned above, fail to appreciate this issue and make touch screen operation even more difficult for those users. Accordingly, a need exists for a component that allows users with larger fingers to easily utilize any touch screen device.

A need exists for a solution that allows the user to utilize any store bought glove, retain all of its insulating and protective attributes, but allows the wearer to operate the capacitive touch screen of an electronic device. The present invention provides an independent, fully-transferrable sheath that works in conjunction with a glove and/or hand to interact with a touchscreen or touch pad device. Furthermore, a need exists for an independent, fully-transferrable sheath that includes a disc with a nub that allows users with larger fingers to operate a touchscreen or touch pad device.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, the present invention, in an embodiment thereof, comprises a sheath that allows a user to interact with the capacitive touch screen of a device without removing a hand covering or glove and exposing the user's hands and fingertips to the elements. The sheath comprises at least a piece of fabric configured to cover the user's fingertips and finger receptacle of the user's hand covering. At least a portion of the sheath includes conductive material. When a capacitive touch screen is touched with the sheath, the conductive material perturbs the field of the screen similar to the conductive skin of a bare finger and thus emulates a touch with a bare finger. As a result, the virtual buttons and other elements of the screen can be activated while wearing or utilizing the sheath of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, a capacitive sheath is provided that includes a first portion having a first edge, where the first portion includes a conducting material, and a second portion having a second edge, where the second portion includes a flexible material, where the first edge of the first portion is coupled with the second edge of the second portion and the capacitive sheath is adapted to fit over a hand covering of a user.

In other embodiments, a capacitive sheath is provided that includes a conductive material, where the capacitive sheath is adapted to be insertable over a portion of a hand covering of a user of a capacitive touch screen.

In other embodiments, a method for operating a touch screen electronic device with a gloved hand is provided that includes the steps of: applying a capacitive sheath to a finger receptacle of the hand covering of a user, where the capacitive sheath includes a conducting material.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the sheath of this disclosure will be better understood upon review of the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, which are briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the state of the art, which includes a typical hand covering of a user attempting to interact with the touch screen of an electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a capacitive sensor sheath associated with the thumb and index finger receptacles of a typical hand covering of a user attempting to interact with the touch screen of an electronic device that embodies aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a cut away side view of the capacitive sheath of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a cut away side view of the capacitive sheath of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3C is an end view of the tip of the capacitive sheath of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is an end view of the edge of the capacitive sheath of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the edge of the capacitive sheath of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A is a cut away side view of an alternative embodiment of the capacitive sheath.

FIG. 5B is a cut away side view of an alternative embodiment of the capacitive sheath.

FIG. 5C is an end view of the tip of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a cut away side view of an alternative embodiment of the capacitive sheath.

FIG. 6B is a cut away side view of an alternative embodiment of the capacitive sheath.

FIG. 6C is an end view of the tip of FIG. 6B.

FIGS. 7 and 10 are top and side views, respectively, of the disc component according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are top and side views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the disc component according to the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are top and side views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the disc component according to the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are top and side views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the disc component according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a capacitive sheath to be worn over a hand covering so that the user may operate an electronic device.

The term “user” and “wearer” may be used interchangeably to refer to a person or individual who may use or wear the capacitive sheath of the present invention.

The term “hand covering” may be used to include any type of covering that can be worn on a person's hand, such as a glove or mitten or any variation thereof. In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove suitable for skiing or snowboarding. In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove used by a user operating a motorcycle. In some embodiments, the hand covering is a construction glove. In some embodiments, the hand covering is a military style glove.

The term “finger receptacle” may be used to include a portion of any hand covering that may be used to receive a finger or thumb of a user.

The term “layer” may be used to refer to a piece of material used in construction of the capacitive sheath.

Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1. is an example of the state of the art. Hand covering 100 is a typical glove worn by user 10, which includes finger receptacles 110 and 120, and does not include conductive material. User 10 is unable to activate electronic device 200 because the hand covering 100 acts as a barrier to accessing capacitive touch screen 210.

FIG. 2 illustrates capacitive sheaths 300 that embody aspects of the invention in one preferred form. Capacitive sheaths 300 are placed over finger receptacles 110 and 120 of hand covering 100. Capacitive sheaths 300 permit user 10 to activate and utilize electronic device 200 by accessing capacitive touch screen 210. While capacitive sheath 300 over hand covering 100 has been illustrated in FIG. 2, it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable for use with virtually any type of hand covering. Hand covering 100 may include, light fabric gloves, driving gloves, cloth gloves, fireman gloves, fashion gloves, garden gloves, heavy winter gloves, skiing gloves, snowboarding gloves, motorcycle gloves, fishing gloves, sporting gloves, golf gloves, ice hockey gloves, goalkeeper gloves, football gloves, horseback riding gloves, fly fishing gloves, work gloves, leather gloves, surgical gloves, latex gloves, electrician's gloves, military gloves, construction gloves, flame-resistant gloves, tactical gloves, police gloves, and specialty gloves. As shown in FIG. 2, the capacitive sensor sheaths 300 are configured to cover the finger receptacles 110 and 120 of user 10. In some embodiments, the capacitive sheath is entirely made of capacitive material.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a conductive material 320 is connected to flexible material 310. The conductive material 320 may take a variety of forms and be composed of a variety of materials depending upon application specific requirements. The layer of conductive material 320 in combination with a layer of flexible material 310 may be shaped or formed to conform to the shape of the finger receptacle 110 of hand covering 100 and may be thin enough to flex with the material of the glove. In some embodiments, the capacitive material includes a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer. In some embodiments, the capacitive material includes spandex. In some embodiments, the capacitive material 320 may include a silver-medalized spandex. In other embodiments, the capacitive material 320 may include silver-plated nylon parachute fabric. In some embodiments, the capacitive material 320 may include a combination of silver-medalized spandex and silver-plated nylon parachute fabric. In some embodiments, the capacitive material is antimicrobial. In some embodiments, a thin sheet of aluminized Mylar® or a thin screen of woven conductive fibers, or a molded or shaped metal sheet material, for example, might be used for such an embodiment. Conductive material 320 may be a conductive fiber material such as fibrous copper or another metal or a more exotic fibrous material such as nano-coated silver fibers disposed in or woven into the material of the sheath. In such a case, the fibrous conductive material may be woven into the material of the outer layer of the finger sheath, or, alternatively, may be woven into an inner layer of material beneath the outer layer of the finger sheath. The conductive material 320 may also be a conductive semiconductor material, a carbon impregnated semiconductor material, aluminized Mylar®, graphite, or conductive carbon fibers. In fact, the invention encompasses and includes any material, now know or hereinafter discovered, that exhibits sufficient and appropriate electrical conductivity to activate a capacitive touch screen. The term “conductive material” as used herein encompasses all of the foregoing. The flexible material 310 may be any fabric or material that provides flexibility and/or elasticity. In some embodiments, the flexible material includes a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer. In some embodiments, the flexible material includes a standard spandex fabric or elastane fiber and a clear laminate coating. In some embodiments, the clear laminate coating is associated with the underside portion of the flexible material 310, which comes in contact with the outer surface of the finger receptacle of the user's hand covering. In some embodiments, the clear laminate coating may provide friction or grip for adhesion to the user's hand covering, hand surface. The term “flexible material” as used herein encompasses all of the forgoing.

FIG. 3B illustrates in further detail one possible embodiment of a capacitive sheath, which includes conductive material 320 associated with flexible material 310 according to the disclosure. In some embodiments, label 312 is associated with flexible material 310. Label 312 may include indicia of source. Label 312 and may be any type of fabric or material desirable.

FIG. 3C illustrates the end view of the tip of the capacitive sheath 300, which shows conductive material 320 associated with elastic material 310. The association 302 may be formed via stitching, sealing, adhesives, or the like.

FIG. 4A illustrates the end view of the edge of capacitive sheath 300, which further shows association 302 between conductive material 320 and flexible material 310. FIG. 4B shows the perspective end view with label 312 associated with flexible material 310. In some embodiments, label 312 may be associated with conductive material 320.

FIG. 5A illustrates another embodiment of a capacitive sheath 400. In this embodiment, a small disc 330 is embedded between conductive material 320 and flexible material 310. When the tip of the capacitive sheath 330 is brought toward engagement with a capacitive touch screen, the disc of conductive material emulates the tip of a bare finger and activates, i.e. the touch is sensed by, the capacitive touch screen. In some embodiments, disc 330 is associated with conductive material 320. In alternative embodiments, disc 330 is associated with flexible material 310 and conductive material 320. In some embodiments, the disc 330 is approximately 0.1 inches to 1.0 inches in circumference. In some embodiments, disc 330 is 0.5 inches in circumference.

FIG. 5B illustrates yet another embodiment of capacitive sheath 410, where disc 330 protrudes the plane of capacitive sheath 410, but does not pierce through conductive material 320.

FIG. 5C illustrates the end view of the tip of capacitive sheath 410. The association 402 may be formed via stitching, sealing, adhesives, and the like.

FIG. 6A illustrates a still further embodiment of capacitive sheath 500. In this embodiment, non-slip material 340 is associated with flexible material 310. In some embodiments, the layer of non-slip material 340 may be adjacent to the layer of flexible material 310. In some embodiments, the non-slip material is associated with the underside portion of the flexible material and therefore comes in contact with the outer surface of the finger receptacle of the user's hand covering once associated with the user's gloved hand. In some embodiments, the non-slip material may provide friction or grip for adhesion to the user's hand covering, hand surface. Disc 330 is embedded between conductive material 320 and a portion of flexible material 310, similar to FIG. 5A above.

FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of capacitive sheath 510, where disc 330 protrudes the plane of capacitive sheath 510, but does not pierce through conductive material 320. As shown in both FIGS. 6A and 6B, the edges of the combination of non-slip material 340 and flexible material 310 are attached to the edges of conductive material 320, at association 502.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the end view of the tip of capacitive sheath 510 shows the association 502 of conductive material 320 and flexible material 310.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 represent variations and views of disc 330 that may be used in the present invention. Disc 330 may be formed with polymers such as polyurethane, plastic, silicone, polyurethane, metal, or any other suitable material. Disc 330 may be any shape known to those of skill in the art to be useful in combination with a touch screen device.

The capacitive sheath 300 may be manufactured using a spandex, flexible fabric. It may be assembled utilizing two even parts. When assembled the shape of the sheath resembles a standard thumb contour, curved at the top portion and straight along the sides. The bottom is finished with a straight cut and stitched together utilizing an elastic thread. In addition, an additional fabric tag can be associated with the bottom portion of the sheath, which may serve as a brand identifier and/or a means for pulling the sheath on to the user's glove or hand.

The capacitive sheath may be the entire length of the finger receptacle of a hand covering. In some embodiments, the capacitive sheath may only cover the tip of the finger receptacle of a hand covering. In some embodiments, the capacitive sheath is approximately 2 inches wide and approximately 2 inches long. In some embodiments, one edge of the capacitive sheath is rounded and the edge is straight.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the capacitive sheath may serve as an optional canvas for including indicia, such as corporate logos or other decorative choices. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the top layer may be left blank.

In some embodiments, the capacitive sheath includes flexible fabric that may conform to virtually any size finger, whether gloved or bare. In other embodiments, the sheath may be suitable for fitting around any desired object and held into place as the fabric contracts.

In some embodiments, the capacitive sheath is designed for use with manual touch keyboards and/or keypads. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath is specifically designed for “thumb” style typing. In other embodiments, the sheath is designed for use with touch-sensitive screens that enable the device operations, such as texting.

In one embodiment, the capacitive sheath includes a 3-dimensional disc that includes a silicone material. The silicone material may provide the user to depress or tap the digital device keys or movement of a tracking system.

In some embodiments, the sheath includes operational characteristics. For example, the sheaths may include any color fabric and can be customized with a variety of logos, messages and other promotional references. In some embodiments, the indicia associated with the sheaths may be licensed to act as an advertising medium.

The construction of the sheaths of the present invention may include stitching between the flexible materials and conductive materials. The surface of the contact region between the flexible and conductive materials may include a protrusion.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensions for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly, use, can be determined by one of skill in the art. Accordingly, all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the instant specification are intended to encompass the present invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

VT/Shieldex EL100 fabric, 2 inches long and 2 inches wide was used to create a capacitive sheath. The edges of the piece of VT/Shieldex fabric were sewn to a piece of spandex fabric, also 2 inches long and 2 inches wide. The outer edges of the fabric pieces were sewn together with a standard stitch to form the sheath, open-ended and adapted to be placed over the finger receptacle of a gloved hand.

Example 2

A second capacitive sheath was prepared according to Example 1. In addition, a third piece of fabric was sewn to the inside portion and associated with the first piece of fabric, particularly at the tip of the sheath. A disc having a nub portion was embedded between the first piece of fabric and the third piece of fabric. The disc was held in place via stitches of thread.

Example 3

A third capacitive sheath was prepared as generally described in Example 1. In this example, the edge of a third piece of fabric was sewn to the underside tip of a first piece of fabric having capacitive material to form a first side. A disc having a nub was embedded between the first and third pieces of fabric was. Then the edges of a second piece of fabric having elastic material and a fourth piece of fabric were sewn together to form a second side. Then the edges of the first side and second were sewn together to form a sheath having an opening capable of receiving a finger receptacle of a glove, i.e. one end remained unsewn together and thus open.

Example 4

Each of the sheaths mentioned in Examples 1-3 were placed over the finger receptacle of a motorcycle glove. The user was able to operate the touch screen of an iPhone® using each of the sheaths when VTT/Shieldex EL1000 material came in contact with the device.

The invention has been described herein in terms of preferred embodiments. However, various modifications and variations of the illustrated embodiments might be made by skilled artisans with such representing equivalent substitutes. These and other additions, deletions, and modifications might well be made by those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined not by the illustrated embodiments but by the claims hereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A capacitive sheath comprising: a first portion having a first edge, wherein said first portion comprises conducting material, and a second portion having a second edge, wherein said second portion comprises a flexible material, wherein the first edge of the first portion is coupled with the second edge of the second portion and the capacitive sheath is adapted to fit over a hand covering of a user.
 2. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, wherein the conducting material is selected from the group consisting of: fabrics containing polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, spandex, elastane, silver-plated fabric, woven conductive fibers, metal sheet material, semiconductor material, graphite, antimicrobial fabric, and combinations thereof.
 3. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of: fabrics containing polyurethane-polyurea copolymers, spandex, elastane, and combinations thereof.
 4. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, further comprising a non-slip material.
 5. The capacitive sheath of claim 4, wherein the non-slip material is selected from the group consisting of: rubber, polymers, neoprene, latex, and combinations thereof.
 6. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the first portion to the second edge of the second portion is coupled by an association selected from the group consisting of: thread, nylon, adhesion, and combinations thereof.
 7. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, wherein the hand covering is selected from the group consisting of: light fabric gloves, driving gloves, cloth gloves, fireman gloves, fashion gloves, garden gloves, heavy winter gloves, skiing gloves, snowboarding gloves, motorcycle gloves, fishing gloves, sporting gloves, golf gloves, ice hockey gloves, goalkeeper gloves, football gloves, horseback riding gloves, fly fishing gloves, work gloves, leather gloves, surgical gloves, latex gloves, electrician's gloves, military gloves, construction gloves, tactical gloves, police gloves, flame-resistant gloves, and specialty gloves.
 8. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, wherein the hand covering is a motorcycle glove.
 9. The capacitive sheath of claim 1, further comprising a disc having a nub, wherein the disc is associated with the first portion of the capacitive sheath.
 10. A capacitive sheath comprising a conductive material, the capacitive sheath adapted to be insertable over a portion of a hand covering of a user of a capacitive touch screen.
 11. The capacitive sheath of claim 10, wherein the conducting material comprises silver-plated spandex fabric.
 12. The capacitive sheath of claim 10, wherein the flexible material comprises spandex.
 13. The capacitive sheath of claim 10, further comprising a non-slip material.
 14. The capacitive sheath of claim 13, wherein the non-slip material is a synthetic rubber.
 15. A method for operating a touch screen electronic device with a gloved hand, comprising the steps of: applying a capacitive sheath to a finger receptacle of the hand covering of a user, wherein said capacitive sheath comprises a conducting material.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the conducting material comprises a silver-plated spandex fabric.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the hand covering is a motorcycle glove.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sheath covers a top portion of the finger receptacle of a motorcycle glove.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sheath further comprises flexible material.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sheath further comprises flexible material, non-slip material and a disc having a nub. 